Level 5 and Studio Ghibli announce Ni No Kuni for the DS (And now PS3)

[abigsmurf]

Yep you read that right, Level 5 are making a game for their 10th anniversary alongside Studio Ghibli. The Backgrounds are hand drawn and the character designs are pure Ghibli. Looks like it features Ghibli animated cutscenes too.

The plot has something to do with a magic book, that also gets bundled with the game (as in an actual printed version) and requires you to actively refer to it during the game.

Home console versions are also planned but the console they're on hasn't been decided.

Hard for me not to get excited about this.

[Roddie]

Too early for word on a Western release?

[spagmasterswift]

Sounds wonderful - can't wait for images

[abigsmurf]

given the immense popularity of Ghibli everywhere, I can't see it not getting a Western Release. The need for the book will be great for reducing the amount of piracy.

There are screens around, I just can't post them as they're scans.

[fuse]

Level 5, Ghibli, DS.

Sold.

[VR46]

Should be great on the DS yes.

The need for the book will be great for reducing the amount of piracy.

Being realistic, PDF scans of the book will probably hit the web as quick as the rom file. Sad, but true.

[spagmasterswift]

Oooh looks great - cat lovers will be especially happy me thinks

[Mad Gear]

I'm a big DS fan but i can't wait to see what the game will look like on PS3 or 360.
It'll probably end up on Wii instead

[abigsmurf]

Should be great on the DS yes.



Being realistic, PDF scans of the book will probably hit the web as quick as the rom file. Sad, but true.

Would suck having to go to the PC though and I imagine printing the book if it's over 100 pages would use almost an entire colour cartridge.

[Kieran76]

This sounds well exciting, does anyone have any more info regarding when the would be out, screenshots etc?

[Howiee]

I thought the founder(s) of Studio Ghibili didn't think very highly of videogames. Not sure where I heard that.

Sounds great though!

[fuse]

Yeah, pretty sure Hayao Miyazaki has expressed his distate for games before. Think it might've been in the interview he did with Wossy for Japanorama, don't quote me on that though.

[abigsmurf]

Yeah, pretty sure Hayao Miyazaki has expressed his distate for games before. Think it might've been in the interview he did with Wossy for Japanorama, don't quote me on that though.

too late

[abigsmurf]

http://kotaku.com/5055608/first-studio-ghiblilevel-5-screens

official shots are out. Looks like it's a high polygon celshaded main character with everything else 2D

[Fuddle]

love the idea of the book, and it looks lovely too.
surely must get an english release whit ghibli being so popular these days. hopefully we wont get stuck with some rubbish paper back.